On January 30, 2020, the Prime Minister held a meeting of the Novel Coronavirus Response Headquarters at the Diet.

At the meeting, a discussion was held on the response to the novel coronavirus.

Based on the discussion, the Prime Minister said,

“Regarding the epidemiological status of the novel coronavirus, even in Japan, two patients without any history of travelling to Wuhan have been reported as of yesterday. There are currently eight patients confirmed including them. In addition, among those who returned to Japan yesterday, three tested positive in the screening. Currently these individuals are hospitalized and being treated at a specialist medical facility. Two of them show no symptoms. Taking into consideration the fact that individuals have tested positive for the virus despite exhibiting no symptoms, it is necessary for us to phase up our responses including quarantine measures.

To prevent the spread of the virus, we intend to implement all possible measures without being constrained by a conventional surveillance approach. We will introduce a measure, aimed at all people entering Japan with any history of travelling to Wuhan or related areas, that checks their contact information while in Japan and follows up on their health status, regardless of whether or not they have exhibited any symptoms. Moving forward, we intend to prioritize the prevention of further spread of the virus, closely monitor the situation, and implement a series of measures flexibly and swiftly thinking out-of-the-box, firmly understanding the characteristics of the virus.

Today as well, 210 Japanese nationals returned to Japan from Wuhan. We intend to take all possible measures in monitoring their health, while continuing to make sure that all individuals who wish to return to Japan are able to do so. We will also conduct thorough health checks regardless of symptoms, including virus screening, and make government facilities such as training centers fully available for accommodation for the duration of that process. We will thoroughly check the health status of each and all of them, making them stay there. I ask that the medical doctors needed for that be dispatched swiftly, even utilizing the Disaster Medical Assistance Team (DMAT).

I also ask that all ministers, under this response headquarters, collaborate with each other and swiftly implement these measures. Going forward, I ask the Government to work as one and make necessary decisions and execute them without being hesitant, putting highest priority on the protection of lives and health of the public, responding to the changing situation.”